CHECK TIMING

HT LEAD ORDER If fuel’s going in and the plugs are sparking, check the sparks are arriving in the right place at the right time. First, make sure Santa’s helpers haven’t replaced the HT leads in the wrong order.

SET TIMING Align the timing marks on the crank pulley (check a manual if they’re not obvious). Take off the distributor cap. The points should be just opening. If not, turn the distributor body until they are.

POINTS GAP Check the points gap while you’re there. When the points are held wide open by the heel of the cam, make sure there’s a gap of 0.4mm between the contacts. Put a dab of grease on the cam, too.